Promises Of Another Night of Riots Draws Police To Arrest Defiant Demonstrators
Following in the wake of the Saturday night’s wave of destruction Richmond Police faced increased pressure to prevent another episode of smashed windows and arsons. A flyer appeared on social media on Sunday morning with language very similar to the one posted for activities the prior evening. Specifically the flyer stated: “Richmond Will Not Stop. Your Thanks Is Not Enough. You Know Our Demands. Meet Them. Black Lives Matter. Fuck White Supremacy. Fuck The Police. Fuck Stoney.” Further the flyer instructed “Be Prepared, Mask Up, Bring An Umbrella (to block cameras).”
With this alarming call to action circulating on social media Richmond and VCU police opted to intercept and disrupt this gathering from forming at Monroe Park. Law enforcement mobilized an overwhelming presence and deployed all around the city park before sunset and verbally advised parkgoers that the property would close at sunset and trespassing ordinances would be enforced.
Between 9:30PM & 10:30PM police arrested defiant demonstrators for trespassing in the city park despite being advised that the park closes at sunset and city ordinances would be enforced. Included among the arrests for trespassing were several prominent social media personalities affiliated with the ongoing demonstrations in Richmond. Several Richmond journalists raised serious concerns after several temporary detentions of credentialed members of the press who were caught up in the effort to clear Monroe Park.
After initial efforts at Monroe Park to form a march failed demonstrators regrouped at Lee Circle and formed a larger crowd that was nearly double the number originally appearing at Monroe Park. The crowd proceeded to march east along Broad Street passing Monroe Park and towards the city center.
Upon arriving at the intersection of East Broad & 9th St. the demonstrators turned around and headed westbound back towards the VCU area. When they arrived on the 200 block of East Broad Street a number of the demonstrators provided crowd cover while vandals targeted the VCU Police headquarters. Individuals toppled planters, smashed glass windows and spray painted on the building’s columns. Shortly thereafter riot gear equipped VCU police were spotted outside the facility recording demonstrators passing by and deterring further damage to the building.
By 12:30 AM demonstrators occupied the intersection the intersection of West Broad & Belvidere blocking traffic and painting graffiti on nearby property. The march then proceeded further west before encountering a line of riot gear equipped police at West Broad & Hancock Street on the VCU campus.
Around 12:50 AM police declared an unlawful assembly and instructed demonstrators to disperse. Shortly after being blocked at this location an arsonist set a dumpster ablaze at the intersection of West Broad & Goshen just a block from the police line.
In a press conference the following day Richmond Police Chief Gerald Smith stated that no chemical irritants were used to disperse crowds in the overnight incident. Further he stated that 17 people were charged during the unrest.
Among those arrested:
- Emily Anderson, 21, Williamsburg – Rioting
- Mekdas Charles, 21, Falls Church – Trespassing
- Madeleine Conger, 30, Charlottesville – Trespassing
- Elsi Del Pino, 25, Richmond – Trespassing
- Robert Fleece, 36, Henrico – Transporting a Loaded Rifle within City Limits, Possessing a Weapon with an Extended Magazine
- Jack Glass, 24, Richmond – Rioting with a Weapon (Felony)
- Markeith Jackson, 25, Richmond – Transporting a Loaded Rifle within City Limits
- Ronald Johnson, 33, Henrico – Transporting a Loaded Rifle within City Limits
- Lila-Jad Koumtakoun, 22, Richmond – Pedestrian in the Roadway, False ID to Police to Avoid Arrest
- Taylor Maloney, 20, Richmond – Trespassing
- Robin Proffer, 26, Henrico – Trespassing
- Travis Pulley, 45, Richmond – Riot with a Weapon (Felony)
- Mitchell Shue, 26, Herndon – Trespassing
- Dexter Superville, 21, Richmond – Rioting, Possession with Intent to Deliver Crack Cocaine
- Justin Tenney, 27, Richmond – Block Traffic, No Seatbelt, Driver’s License Not in Possession
- Two Juveniles – not identified
“We have to take action when we know violence is coming,” Smith said on Monday. “What we did last night, we took a proactive stance. When the group gathered in Monroe park and congregated after 10 p.m., RPD moved in and began to affect arrests.”
Read More
- Richmond Times-Dispatch - 17 arrested overnight in Richmond; police swarm Monroe Park prior to Sunday night march
- NBC 12 - Police arrest over a dozen people after riot leads to fires, vandalism in downtown Richmond
- WRIC 8 - Police arrest more than 20 during violent weekend in Richmond
- Associated Press - Second night of protests in Richmond ends with 16 arrests